Former Governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, on Tuesday commissioned the newly renovated and re-equipped Neonatal and Special Babies Ward at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Parklane, describing the facility as a world-class intervention capable of transforming neonatal healthcare delivery in Enugu State.
The commissioning ceremony, which formed part of activities marking the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, drew top government officials, healthcare professionals, political stakeholders and members of the public.
Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, hailed the project as a major milestone in the state’s healthcare transformation agenda.
The project was facilitated through the Cecilia Oyebola Foundation founded by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Health, Yomi Jaye, and equipped with modern incubators, infusion and syringe pumps, phototherapy equipment, autoclave machines, baby monitoring devices and upgraded nursing facilities aimed at reducing infant mortality and improving neonatal care.
Speaking during the event, Prof. Onyia commended Dr. Jaye for what he described as exceptional dedication and personal sacrifice toward advancing healthcare delivery in the state.
According to him, the intervention reflected the culture of service and collective responsibility encouraged by the Mbah administration.
“This intervention reflects the kind of leadership Governor Peter Mbah promotes, where public officials go beyond official responsibilities to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state,” Onyia stated.
He also praised Senator Nwobodo for attending the event, saying his enduring commitment to the progress of Enugu State remained commendable.
Prof. Onyia further stated that the Mbah administration had transformed ESUT Teaching Hospital from the condition it inherited in 2023 into a rapidly improving medical institution capable of competing with leading healthcare facilities across Nigeria.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to building a world-class healthcare system through sustained investments in infrastructure, equipment and manpower development.
Performing the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside his wife, Dr. Patricia Nwobodo, Senator Nwobodo expressed admiration over the quality of facilities installed at the neonatal ward, insisting that Governor Mbah deserved overwhelming support for re-election in 2027.
According to the elder statesman, the standard of facilities at the ward compared favourably with what is obtainable in advanced countries.
He said the project further demonstrated that the current administration was delivering visible and measurable results across critical sectors.
In his remarks, Dr. Jaye disclosed that the project was inspired by his lifelong commitment to children’s welfare and dedicated to the memory of his late mother, who was a teacher.
He explained that the renovated ward was designed in line with modern infection prevention protocols critical to newborn survival, recalling the painful loss of his almost twin brother due to infection-related complications.
Dr. Jaye noted that the intervention aligned with Governor Mbah’s vision of transforming healthcare delivery through preventive and patient-centred care.
He added that ongoing investments in hospitals, primary healthcare and medical training had continued to reposition Enugu as a leading healthcare destination in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of ESUT Teaching Hospital, Bethrand Ngwu, expressed gratitude to Governor Mbah and Dr. Jaye for their continued interventions and support toward improving healthcare services in the institution.
Prof. Ngwu stated that the administration’s investments had significantly improved healthcare delivery and staff morale within the hospital.
He assured that the newly installed facilities would be properly maintained and maximally utilised for the benefit of newborns and other vulnerable patients requiring specialised medical care.
